The latest in the state's Public Spaces Community Places placemaking initiative is a crowdfunding campaign to improve public access to the Clinton River in downtown Mt. Clemens. MacArthur Park will also receive several enhancements.
Should the crowdfunding campaign successfully raise $60,000 by January 28, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Michigan State Housing Development Authority will provide a $50,000 grant to the project.
MacArthur Park: Clinton River Project is in partnership with the Clinton River Watershed Council.
The crowdfunding campaign is being held on the Michigan-based Patronicity platform. A variety of rewards are given for contributing to the campaign.
Improvements planned for MacArthur Park in downtown Mt. Clemens are numerous. They include a universally accessible kayak and canoe launch, universally accessible restrooms, and a universally accessible picnic table with a charging station. Other enhancements include kayak storage and lockers, enhanced pedestrian connections to the existing boardwalk, way finding and interpretive signage, local art murals, and improved parking facilities.
“Adding a universally accessible kayak launch at MacArthur Park will allow users of all abilities the opportunity to experience all that Mt. Clemens and the Clinton River have to offer," Mt. Clemens Mayor Barbara Dempsey says in a statement. "The Clinton River is one of the unique environmental and recreational assets of the region and Mount Clemens, and we look forward to finding more ways to utilize this asset as an economic development tool, while continuing to protect its natural beauty.”
The project is part of the Clinton River Watershed Council's WaterTown program. Their plan is to install 12 universally accessible kayak and canoe launches by the year 2020. The launch at MacArthur Park would be the first.
Previous Public Spaces Community Places campaigns include improvements to
Lake Norcentra Park in Rochester and the
Marine City Public Beach. Each were successful.
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